Board Game Reviews, Reports, and Reflections.

Solitaire Games (and advice) for New Wargamers

I made this video at the request of one of our YouTube subscribers. They wanted a video covering introductory solitaire wargames. Obviously, this video isn’t extensive, but it covers a broad range of game styles. I might do a video at some other point about more complex solo wargames, and what I personally look for in a solitaire wargame.

They’re on Pre-Order with VPG I believe, the 2nd Edition looks totally awesome. Another interesting title if you like the idea of “Godzilla in Space” is Astra Titanus, you control a military space fleet (destroyers, cruisers, carriers, battleships, etc.) against an alien robot behemoth. Its actions are controlled by a deck of cards and some simple rules. The deck gives variety and unpredictability and you need to destroy the alien titan before it reaches its target and unleashes hell. There are various ways to tackle a Titan, you want to hit its weapon points to make it easier to hit but at the same time hit the engines to slow it down and of course you need to wear down the armor and hull to eventually compromise it. Fun little game, I traded mine away anticipating a Gold Banner version of it… still waiting for it.

Other games that can be solitaired are co-op games like Pandemic, and then there are those that have competitive, co-op or solo scenarios under the adventure/strategy aegis like Mage Knight and its cousin Star Trek Frontiers.

COIN games had AI bots included from the first game. But new different bots are being released, as well as some upgrades, through C3i. For example, with Andean Abyss, the first COIN, there was no bot for the Government faction.

A unique solitaire system you did not mention (probably ok since it’s very very old now) is Ambush! Despite being old nothing like it was made since, very unique experience and well worth getting if you can. If you can find these very old games, other old AH solo games: Raid on St. Nazaire, Patton’s Best, B-17. Mostly dice-table driven.

Another solo wargame, modern theme: Phantom Fury from Nuts!. Random chit-pull enemy placement and die-roll combat resolution. Would work well for beginners I think.

Space Empires has solitaire scenarios included which work well for beginners.

There is also a solitaire module made for No Retreat! (Deluxe, GMT Games). It forces you to play both sides with an enemy objective, where you will switch sides unexpectedly.

Another system you could have mentioned is the solo/co-op kind of game. Examples are Warfighter/Warfighter WW2 from DVG – similar ideas and story-telling in the solo system to other DVG games like the Phantom Leader you showed, but with co-op possibility! – and Dawn of the Zeds from VPG (ok, not really a wargame, but…)

Another game (that didn’t need to be mentioned: OOP, rare, expensive) but is a great solo game: Where There is Discord: War in the South Atlantic. I think this would work for beginners if you can get it for less than the cost of a new car.

Two of my favorite solo wargames have been Print & Play 9-Card games on Board Game Geek. My favorite would be Yeomen: The 9-Card Agincourt game. I really enjoyed that fast and challenging game, and reviewed it a while ago on my blog. The designer of that is currently finishing up 9 Card Siege, which imitates the struggle of defending a castle during a 3-day siege. Both are excellent, require just a printed page of components and some cubes and dice, and are quick plays.